From: Gershon
Date: Fri, 14 Mar 1997 17:46:38 -0500
Subject: USS CHESAPEAKE: The Counselor's Report
Office of the Exec:
2.2100
Brennan sat in his loungewear, having a quiet conversation with the
Counselor. "Now, Mr. Tats-Marush, you know I'm only here at 2100
hours for two reasons. One, to work on my Shrevashal. And two, because
you promised you could give a short report."
"Indeed." Stavay reached over for a glass of *ijine*. "First,
about the Shrevashal, *allay yadselanen heta* (we can work on it later)."
Brennan smiled. So far, he had understood all of Stavay's little
uncomplicated words and phrases. Had he been working on the language in
his spare time?
"As for my department report...Sir, there's not a lot to report. As of
now, the Counseling Division of Medical Sciences consists of myself
and LTJG Traren. Neither of us is an MD. I have extensive work in
the care of the mentally ill, but only as a Registered Nurse. However,
I realize the handicap this lack of formal education places on my career
advancement, and I have begun to study correspondence courses from the
ship's computer to achieve a BA degree.
"LTJG Traren has the Bachelor of Sciences degree in Psychology from
SFA. He specialized in romantic and family relationships. He's hoping
to stay at least one year aboard the CHESAPEAKE before he continues his
education. Frankly, I've wondered why *he's* not the Ship's Counselor."
Brennan knew why. Traren was not only a poor excuse for a counselor,
but had come very close to being booted out of the service after he began
a romantic relationship with one of his clients aboard the USS INDONESIA.
He was, according to the report Brennan had recieved, "naturally lazy...
needs to be supervised very closely...no sense of self-direction...with
so much self-inflicted spare time on his hands, he is known to find trouble."
Stavay continued. "We currently have 7 clients. I have four of the clients,
Traren has three. All of them are from the Security and Science Departments.
Furthermore, I maintain the prosthetic brain of an ensign from Operations
as part of my Counseling dutes. As well as--"
"Hold up a minute, Counselor. You said, 'from the Security and Science
Departments'." Brennan cocked an eyebrow. "Is that important?"
*You're quick to catch on.* "Not really. Just dissatisfaction with work.
One of my duties as Counselor is auxilary management. When people are unhappy
with their jobs, I have to figure out when the fault lies. Of course,
these complaints come up every time a working relationship is established.
However, if they persist...my job is to put my foot down." She looked up
from her *ijine*. "And call the Executive Officer, of course."
"Any other comments, Counselor?"
"Well...we have a fine Recreation Officer. Her name is LT Joyce Corbitt,
and she's assigned to Auxilary Detail. She has a lot of good ideas about
fun things to do. There's a poker party in three days. Do you play?"
"I **might**. No promises, now. What about the psychological well-being
of the crew?"
"Well, we've, uh...got some wild cards. Two of them have spent some time
in mental institutions."
"Oh." Stavay could see that Brennan was thinking, probably trying to guess
a few names.
"Uh, Sir...I'm one of them."
Remembering, Brennan replied, "Oh, yes! Now, I remember that. You *have*
been through a lot recently, Counselor. Tell me...does not being a man
any more bother you?"
Stavay laughed. "That's not exactly the easiest question to answer!"
*And it took a lot of nerve to ask it*, thought Stavay, secretly enjoying
Brennan's discomfort.
Brennan stood up. "Well, two items of business and then we'll finish.
First, you'll be a ship's liason to any visiting ambassadors or VIPs.
Can you handle that?"
"Sir...one of my hobbies is etiquette." Not that that's any preparation,
thought the Counselor.
"Well, it won't be a hobby anymore, Lieutenant. Second...you need to keep
an eye on your fellow Counselor...particulary when he's counseling females."
Ah. Oh. "Well...uh...I think I'll have to shuffle his schedule about.
So that that doesn't happen." You learn something new every day, Stavay
thought.
"Good. Now, Counselor...the verb form, *maken*, 'to have guilt' has a
'h' when forming tenses, like *maksahen* or *maksyahen*...do verbs with the
'k' sound always have those breathy consonants....?"
**************************************************************
Respectfully Submitted,
James Bowman
LTJG Stavay Tats-Marush, COUNS, USS CHESAPEAKE
jrbowman@london2.skn.net AND JBowman489@aol.com
All: Part one of my four-pronged attack. A little feint, as it were.
I've got business with Lynnaea, Christine, and Masako, in that order.
So, I'd better get the preliminaries out of the way.
Takako: Isn't it annoying to be considered a preliminary?, heh heh....
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